GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. — A Mesa County woman is due to be sentenced Aug. 28 after pleading guilty to two felony charges of causing serious injuries to her infant daughter.
Twenty-four-year-old Erin DeSpain was originally charged with five counts of felony child abuse for allegedly abusing her then-2-month-old girl last year.
An arrest affidavit indicates DeSpain took the child to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction on May 17, 2007, saying she heard a cracking noise as she felt the child’s back while changing a diaper.
An X-ray found the girl had broken ribs, a broken right femur and tibia, and a severe head injury, plus a skull fracture.
DeSpain told District Judge Brian Flynn she took the plea deal because she feared what might happen if the case went to trial.
